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Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotarians have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.

Six Cochlear Implant Surgeries

$1,000 of $3,000 raised

The Rotary Club of Irvine is raising $3,000 in support of this $60,300 project.

The consequences for a child born with hearing loss are quite severe. It is well established that a child with hearing loss cannot develop speech and language abilities. This puts the child at a disadvantage in school, keeps him away for higher education and limits future professional opportunities. The problem of the child deaf from the birth is quite different from that of the adult who become completely deaf after school age or in adult life. Unlike blindness, deafness often provokes ridicules rather than sympathy. A deaf person is so isolated from family and friends and greeted by unsympathetic attitude he/she is often depressed and needs psychological counseling.

Over 100,000 babies are born with hearing deficiency every year, hearing impairment is a serious and grossly neglected condition in India. In India, 63 million people (6.3%) suffer from significant auditory loss. Four in every 1,000 children suffer from severe to profound hearing loss. The country also suffers a huge economic impact due to lost productivity, higher unemployment, and lower wages for the hearing impaired.

Rotary Club of Irvine, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bombay Seacoast and The Rotary Foundation will deliver six Cochlear Implants in India to give speech and hearing to under-privileged deaf & dumb children (from 1 year old to 5 years of age). We intend to cater to children who can’t afford such costly corrective surgery (cochlear implant surgery). We plan to undertake this project at the renowned Public Hospital named Dr. R. N. Cooper Municipal General Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai, which is fully equipped to undertake these surgeries.